Synthesis, structure, DNA-binding, and nuclease activity of a 3d–4f mixed metal nitrosyl complex, [Pr(phen)2(MeOH)(H2O)2][Fe(CN)5(NO)] · (Phen)(DMF)(MeOH)(H2O)

A cyano-bridged heterometallic lanthanide-transition metal nitrosyl complex, [Pr(phen)2(MeOH)(H2O)2][Fe(CN)5(NO)] · (Phen)(DMF)(MeOH)(H2O) (Phen = 1,10-phenanthroline and DMF = dimethylformamide), has been synthesized from reaction of PrCl3 · 6H2O with 1,10-phenanthroline in methanol and sodium nitroprusside followed by crystallization from DMF. The crystal structure shows that the complex is a 1-D chain, stabilized by coordination, hydrogen-bonding, and π–π stacking interactions. The complex shows nuclease activity with pUC19 supercoiled DNA in DMF/Tris-HCl buffer in the presence of H2O2.